Athena Chu Yan is cute and she knows it. A request for pictures sees the petite actress start to primp and pout at the drop of a hat. She also talks non-stop - that only adds to her charm - and has the curiosity of a cat.
'Why does this happen? Where did Man come from? Isn't it fascinating how colours can represent a person's personality? Why does history always repeat itself?' The questions come fast and furious in a conversation with Chu. More often than not, she has discovered the answers herself.
'Do you realise history does have a way of repeating itself? Have you noticed that whenever there is war and strife, that is when the arts go through a period of revival?' she asks.
'I am a very curious person. I like listening to people but I also like to find things out for myself. If you tell me a little, I will dig out books and look up the information to satisfy my curiosity.' The ability to analyse things and find logical explanations has helped her in this business where rumours are part of the staple diet and bad scripts a familiar sight.
'You learn not to believe everything you hear. Information that is passed from one person to another is usually distorted. In this business, it helps to know that,' Chu says.
This particular trait also means Chu is perpetually trying out new things. Her latest venture into singing is a good example. Chu is only 24, but already she has been a television actress, children's show host, film actress, and stage performer, although not professionally for the last.